East Central Reporter

Blaine Wilhour, a representative for Illinois State House District 110, said that House Bill 3212 would "prohibit sitting lawmakers from being paid to testify or represent clients against the state or local governments." He made this statement in a Facebook post on March 14.

"Another Illinois politician found guilty of corruption and Democrats still won't take action on ethics reform," said Wilhour, State Representative, according to Facebook. "Here are 5 bills we can pass right now to hold elected officials accountable in Illinois. One of them is my House Bill 3121 that would prohibit sitting lawmakers from being paid to testify or represent clients against the state or local governments. Violating this provision would be a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and up to $2,500 in fines."

According to Wilhour's post, it linked to an Illinois Policy report highlighting five bills in the General Assembly designed to address issues enabling corruption. These bills aim to enhance transparency in ethics investigations, restrict lobbying by state leaders, and prohibit sitting lawmakers from accepting payment for testifying or representing clients against the State of Illinois or its local governments. Additionally, one bill would require the House or Senate to hold a bill for at least five calendar days, giving legislators ample time to read it before voting. The same bill would also mandate a five-day waiting period after an amendment to ensure proper review.

Screeenshot of State Representative Blaine Wilhour's March 14 Facebook post | State Representative Blaine Wilhour Facebook page

House Bill 3121 redefines "representation case" to include matters before local governments and prohibits legislators or government employees from accepting money or participating in any representation case where the State or a local government is a defendant, according to the bill’s webpage. Wilhour introduced the bill on February 6, and it was referred to the Rules Committee on February 18. The most recent action took place on March 4 when the bill was assigned to the Ethics and Elections Committee.

Two bills aim to restrict lobbying by legislators and other state leaders. According to Illinois Policy, House Bill 1385 would impose a three-year cooling-off period before specific state leaders and members of the General Assembly could become state-level lobbyists. The second bill, House Bill 2413, would end the practice of lawmakers lobbying local governments, regardless of whether they are doing so on behalf of a lobbyist or an entity registered to lobby the General Assembly or the state executive branch.

Wilhour has served as a representative for the people of the 110th District since 2019. He is a lifelong Illinois resident who served in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1999-2005 and deployed to Europe in 2002 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to his official biography. His political career includes a term on the Fayette County Board. He is also a managing partner at his family’s post-frame construction company in Effingham County.